To celebrate Arbor Day 2017, Ironton In Bloom is partnering with the Ironton Catholic Schools, with the support of Ironton aLive, the ALTIVIA-SunCoke-Veolia Community Advisory Panel or Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital to demonstrate a large Urban Forestry Project at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 27 at St. Lawrence School in Ironton.

Urban Forestry is one of six criteria evaluated when the city of Ironton is judged in relation with its fellow America in Bloom companion communities. Trees not only beautify the community, but also provide energy saving shade, oxygen and clean pollutants from the urban environment.

“This is such a wonderful event that can educate the community and students at the school about the value of trees,” Carol Allen, president of Ironton In Bloom, said. “We’re really excited about the collaboration with the Catholic schools.”

This year’s Arbor Day initiative will consist of planting 19 new trees in various locations throughout the grounds at St. Lawrence School, including the tree lawns, the front of the school and playground areas. Recently, the school was forced to remove several trees due to structural damage they were creating and hazards they were presenting to the public.

In an effort to re-establish these trees, the Ironton Catholic Schools have been working with Ironton In Bloom to select trees that are more appropriate to their respective urban settings from recommended trees provided by an urban arborist.

“Ironton In Bloom has helped the Catholic schools with tree selection and made the arrangements to get them purchased,” Allen said. “On the tree lawn, there will be Cleveland Pears, Dwarf Maples and Hornbeam trees, on the terrace in front will be Red Maple and Redbud trees and in the back of the building, there will be three Little Leaf Lindens.”

The Arbor Day initiative of planting trees at St. Lawrence School was chosen because it gives an opportunity to demonstrate to both residents and businesses within the city of Ironton the benefit ad beauty of trees when appropriate species are chosen for their urban locations.

Once the trees are planted, they will be marked by the type and species names so that individuals looking for appropriate tree plantings can visit the school and see the actual trees they are selecting. The trees are also supplemented with a tree list of like trees for their various urban settings.

Before any of the trees will be planted, students at the school will learn the benefits of planting trees.

If you would like to be one of the supporters of this event, Ironton In Bloom and the Ironton Catholic Schools are taking donations toward the purchase of trees. A tax deductible donation of $118.80 to either organization provides for the purchase of one tree for this project. To make a donation, contact either an Ironton In Bloom member or a representative of the Ironton Catholic Schools.